In parallel with the increasing global demand for collagen, the scientific community worldwide is paying closer attention to the benefits of collagen-based products – a field of research to which Seagarden actively contributes.
–We are currently conducting a clinical study that will conclude this fall, says Seagarden’s Chief Scientific Officer, Geir Åsmund Myge Hansen.
Marine collagen is best known for its positive effects on skin health, including its anti-aging properties. Hansen points to a number of studies in recent years that support these findings, including one conducted in 2022.
–Working together in the EU-funded project Aquabioprofit, Seagarden carried out a clinical study on collagen derived from salmon. We looked at a range of criteria, including overall skin health, nail strength, and hair quality, he explains.
To control for possible placebo effects, 116 participants were divided into two groups and given salmon collagen over a six-month period.
–The results showed positive effects across the board: improved skin health, fewer wrinkles, and increased skin moisture. Participants also experienced stronger nails and reduced hair loss. These results were consistent with previous findings from other researchers, Hansen adds.
A scientist at heart, Hansen values studies with a large number of participants and long timeframes.
–These are the types of studies we will continue to prioritize and expand. For example, we want to test for additional health variables and gain a deeper understanding of the effects of different dosages, he says.
In addition to clinical studies, Seagarden also funds studies to uncover the effect collagen has on a cellular level.
–In so-called in vitro studies, scientists place skin cells on a collagen-containing medium to observe the effects at a cellular level, he explains.
Seagarden is also actively engaged in larger collaborative projects.
–We are part of an international research collaboration called BLUEWAYSE (Blue Ways to a Sustainable Europe), and at the same time we have had six separate applications under evaluation, which includes two larger international projects, one national collaboration, and three independent projects for which we have applied for funding through the Research Council of Norway’s SkatteFUNN scheme.
–It is an exciting time for nutraceuticals in general, and for anyone interested in the potential applications of collagen, he concludes.